Capitol Connection

Hello and welcome to the 2020 Blogging from A to Z April Challenge! I’ll be writing one new meet-cute per day as part of my “Sacramento Love” theme. Read along as couples find themselves falling for folks in lucky locations across California’s capital city. In this time of social distancing, there’s no need to fear a little fictional fun, so get your romance fix here and enjoy!

* * *

“They say it’s good luck,” she whispers, handing him a dime.

“That guard is looking right at me,” he whispers back, accepting the coin nonetheless.

Carrie had liked Big’s online profile with its politico-in-the-know bluster, and she’d agreed to meet him at the state capitol for their first date. Currently, they’re leaning against the railing on the second floor of the rotunda, and she’s just dared him to toss a coin at the sculpture of Queen Isabella and Columbus. According to local legend, landing a coin in Isabella’s crown is good luck. Big doesn’t want to get busted defiling state property, and Carrie doesn’t want to get mixed up with a coward.

“Throw, or I go.”

“Wait,” he pleads, taking her hand.

She turns back to face him, and he pulls her into an unexpected kiss. She’s so surprised she forgets to close her eyes, which means she catches the glint of the silver coin on its descent, after he’s tossed it over his shoulder.

The guard has already turned away, bored by their tryst. Carrie rushes back to the railing in time to see the dime bounce off one of Isabella’s crosses, ping-pong backward, and settle at the back of her marble headpiece.

Eyes bright as the penny she threw last week, Carrie resumes their embrace, eager for whatever comes next.

Don’t miss a magical moment!

Subscribe to my mailing list for a weekly round-up of Sacramento Love pieces, sent every Sunday, so you can catch up on all the week’s stories. No spam, just short fiction!